lately

Poor second child Caleb. Taylor turned five just a few days ago and had a post dedicated to her while he turned two three months ago, and nothing. Let’s fix that, shall we?

Brand New Caleb (CAN YOU EVEN??!!)

One Year-Old Caleb

Two Year-Old Caleb

This boy, oh my goodness. He is a nut. But he will say, “My no nut”. He is full of life and boyness. He plays with all of Taylor’s toys but in a way only a boy can….magic wands as weapons and golf clubs…baby strollers as bumper cars. He is so funny. He is cute, and he knows it, which is means he’s trouble. He has the funniest facial expressions and has great comedic timing; quite remarkable for two, I think. He loves being funny, being the center of attention, and entertaining the people.

We took away his paci at night a few weeks ago. I fretted over it, but other than waking up earlier than usual, he has handled it like a champ. He is slow to potty train, but runs around joyously like a naked banshee when he is successful asking for his m&m and “popcorn” (AKA: candycorn). He is talking more and more each day and repeats everything you say. And he will repeat himself over and over until you understand fully what he is trying to say; he will not give up.

He counts to 11, then goes back to 8 and continues to 11 again. He’s like a broken record. He’ll keep repeating those four numbers until you through in a 12, then he can count to 20 (even though several of the “teen” numbers sound the same).

He wants to “help” do whatever we are doing, whether that’s cooking in the kitchen or doing yardwork. He pulls up a chair to the counter EVERY TIME I’m in the kitchen, which is equal parts endearing and frustrating. And he wants his lawnmower and wheelbarrow whenever we are working in the yard.

He likes to cook – he makes “oatmeal” all the time

(also, he’s not a fan of clothes)

He looks JUST like my dad AKA Pops (seriously, compare this to his two year-old cake picture)

He, too, loves the Gamecocks and going to football games (just like Pops)

He loved Disney, but was a little wary of the characters at first. Below, he is warming up to Handy Manny (his favorite lead character – because he works with TOOLS). He wants to look at our Disney album all the time, and each time we get to a new picture with a different character, he has to find the corresponding stuffed animal or figurine and hold it up to the picture. So by the time we are done with the album, I have a lap full of “big Pooh”, two Goofys, Mickey, Donald, Woody, Buzz, and Piglet. He’s quite distraught that he has no Handy Manny to add.